STRUCTURAL-PROPERTIES AND IMPACT FRACTURE-BEHAVIOR OF INJECTION-MOLDED BLENDS OF LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE COPOLYESTER AND MODIFIED POLY(PHENYLENEOXIDE)

Blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) with modifie d poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) were injection molded. The morphology, t ensile properties and dynamic mechanical behavior of the blends have b een studied as a function of LCP content. Furthermore, the impact perf ormance of these blends has been investigated by the instrumented Izod and Charpy falling weight tests. The critical strain energy release r ate (G(IC)) of the blends were determined and the G(IC) values were fo und to be dependent on the LCP content. The results are discussed and explained in terms of materials morphology.